Should you visit Hong Kong or Tokyo?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong or Tokyo, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
Which city is cheaper, Tokyo or Hong Kong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $128, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $170. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Hong Kong and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Hong Kong can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $160 in Tokyo For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Hong Kong travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Tokyo can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $40 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $16 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Hong Kong $26
Tokyo $40
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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E-Ticket: Symphony of Lights Dinner Cruise and Free Transfer:
$64
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2-Hour Dinner & Shows on Victoria Harbour Night Cruise:
$81
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Hong Kong Market Tour and Cantonese Cooking Class with a Local Chef:
$154
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Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Mongkok:
$204
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Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Hong Kong Island:
$204
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Private Romantic Dinner for 2 on Luxury Yacht:
$1,549
Typical Food prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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1-Hour Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour with Local Guide:
$26
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Unique Private Cooking Class with a Tokyo Local Emi:
$78
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Local Food Tour on Sunamachi Ginza Street:
$83
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West-Side Walking & Street Food Tour:
$95
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Private Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class from Central Tokyo:
$108
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Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local Chef:
$120
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Tokyo Food Tour: 3-Hour Culinary Adventure:
$129
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Gyoza Cooking Classes in Tokyo:
$135
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Private Dining: Wagyu and sake pairing dinner in Shinjuku:
$136
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Private Market Tour and Traditional Japanese Cooking Class in Asakusa:
$142
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Tokyo Private Food Tour: From Ramen Bars, Vending Machines To Cat Cafes:
$174
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3-Hour Food Tour of Shinbashi at Night:
$182
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Hong Kong than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.01 on transportation in Hong Kong on average per day.
Tokyo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $21 per person, per day on transportation in Tokyo.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hong Kong
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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3-Day Private Hong Kong Tour with Hotel and Round-trip Airport Transfer:
$919
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3-Night Regal Kowloon Hotel Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$695
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3-Night Regal HongKong Hotel Package with Airport Transfer, Tours and E-Tickets:
$598
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3-Night West Hotel Hong Kong Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$485
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Hong Kong to Guangzhou & Fushan Private Transfer:
$422
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Shanghai Disneyland and Courtyard by Marriott Package with Transfers:
$389
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Private Arrival Transfer - Hong Kong Airport to Macau Island:
$248
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Private Hong Kong To Shenzhen Transfer with Sightseeing:
$235
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Hong Kong Private Transfer to Macau hotel over Bridge:
$208
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Private Arrival Transfer - Hong Kong Airport to Zhuhai:
$198
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Hong Kong to Shenzhen Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$193
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Lantau Island Cable Car Tour and Tai O Boat Ride with Ferry Transfers from Macau:
$179
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Tokyo:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels:
$230
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Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Yokohama Port to Tokyo Hotels:
$133
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Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port:
$133
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Private Transfers from Tokyo City, Yokohama or Port:
$211
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Private Transfer to/from Narita Itl. Airport (NRT):
$187
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Haneda Airport Private Transfer:
$114
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Tokyo to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$141
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Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$80
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Tokyo hotel/address to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer:
$80
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Tokyo Private Transfer from Tokyo central to Narita Airport (NRT):
$261
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Tokyo Private Transfer from Tokyo central to Haneda Airport (HND):
$194
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Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way):
$51
Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Hong Kong change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Hong Kong, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $76 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tokyo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $76 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1-Hour Guided Boat Tour Through Aberdeen Harbour in Hong Kong:
$70
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3-in-1: Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds & Sky Terrace E-Tickets:
$53
-
4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$237
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5-Hour Hiking Tour in The Green to Lion Rock in Hong Kong:
$90
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5-Hour Private Customized Walking Tour in Hong Kong:
$268
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6 hours worth seeing scenery in Hong Kong Island Private Tour by limo:
$395
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6-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$294
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6-Hours Worth-Seeing Scenery in Kowloon Peninsula Private Tour By Limo:
$124
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8-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$359
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A Food Adventure in Hong Kong with a Local Foodie:
$2.64
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All inclusive VIP tickets for HKJC horse race SHATIN including pickup from hotel:
$264
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Authentic Home Visit Tour in Hong Kong:
$82
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
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Akihabara: Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour:
$67
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Ancient Meets Ultra-Modern - Tokyo History Experience:
$83
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Christmas In Private Experience With A City Host:
$83
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Customize your 8-hours private tour with a local guide Tokyo:
$81
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Discover Japan Tour: 15-day Small Group:
$8,972
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Eat Like A Local - Sushi Experience:
$146
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Explore Japan Tour: 20-day Small Group:
$12,049
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Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour:
$993
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Geisha Encounter: Cultural Experience at Chaya in Tokyo:
$78
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Highlights of Japan Tour: 10-day Small Group:
$5,639
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Intro to Japan Tour: 8-day Small Group:
$4,357
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Introduction To Tokyo & Highlights Private Walking Tour With A Local:
$83
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Hong Kong spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Tokyo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $35.
Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Hong Kong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hong Kong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hong Kong and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Hong Kong.
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